THE HAUNTING OF LENNY MAGGOT

Tair Rafiq
Jun 22
3 min read

Updated: Jul 5

ROTHERHAM SCHOOLS TOUR - APRIL - JUNE 2025

In 2024 when I toured my first theatre project for Rotherham schools entitled 'Paradise Square', a story about wishes and a giant rabbit, the children who saw the show demanded 'We want more Lenny Maggot'. Lenny was the evil landlord with ambitions to become a world famous rapper - despite being a terrible singer. I replied to the children 'I'll see what I can do...'

I was thrilled and honoured to have been granted my second Arts Council Project Grant to continue the growth of my creative practice, bringing new theatre projects and workshops directly into Rotherham schools. With a more ambitious vision, including two actors where previously there was a one-person show, original songs and an amazing puppet created by puppetry artist Sara Blackburn, I commenced work on 'The Haunting of Lenny Maggot'.

Inspired by the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, this show was created with the help of the wonderful Ann Foxley Johnson of The Rotherham Anti-Bullying Company, to educate young children on the value of empathy, inclusion, and making good choices. The show was not so much a sequel to 'Paradise Square', but rather the reimagining of a character that caught the imagination of the children.

In this show, Lenny Maggot is still a landlord, he's still mean spirited and selfish. But this time he gets taught a lesson about making good choices in life when he is haunted by three spirits, in the form of Mr Moony, Mr Green, and Miss Bright. Lenny gets up to some really despicable things in this story: he threatens to evict his tenants for being late with the rent, he steals money from a rainy day jar, and even cheats at a charity raffle to win a Black Forest gateaux. But despite all his bad choices, Lenny makes things right in the end. He makes friends and even learns a happy dance. This performance inspired the children in ways to create empathy and kindness in the world, and always to strive to make good choices.

I, and my project partners, Producer and Mentor Kat Fletcher, and actors Neath Champion-Shorr, Jan Brennan, Sara Blackburn, Anna Kozak, and Ann Foxley-Johnson, enjoyed creating this project immensely, and it gave us such joy to see the children's incredible reaction to your work. This year we outdid ourselves and completed an eight date tour to Rotherham schools. It has been an amazing experience full of fun, growth and hope, and we are excited to see what new magic we can bring going into the future.

Thank you to all the schools who hosted us this year. The staff and pupils were so open and welcoming. We will see you again soon....